Glad Tidings of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 1706 Slide Lubbock, Texas The Living Bread from Heaven gloriadeilubbock.org @gdlclubbock August 2018 According to Pew Research 80 percent of Americans believe in God. They may not agree on theology, or church practices, but they believe in a higher power. At the same time many stats point to how church attendance is decreasing. It seems Americans are leaving the church, but not God. The question I m wrestling with is why? Why are believers leaving church but not faith? I m sure there are many reasons, but I can t help but wonder if it s an age old problem. As humans we often put unrealistic and unhealthy expectations on things or people. When an expectation is unmet it leads to hurt. As humans we are built to avoid pain and seek comfort. When the church doesn t meet a person s expectations it can be easy to give up on the church. The thought is, I can just do this at home. Many treat church the same way as rental car insurance it s optional. With the rise of podcasts, and online sermons the pull to attend a service is shrinking. The thought is, Why go on Sunday when I can have instant access to content any time I want? Not only that we have access to the Bible ourselves. At one point in history a person had to attend church to learn about the Bible. Today you can pull up a Bible on your phone, and then Google any questions you have about it. Famed theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer elegantly called these unrealistic expectations, the Wish Dream. In his book Life Together, Bonhoeffer says, Every human wish dream that is injected into the Christian community is a hindrance to genuine community and must be banished if genuine community is to survive. He who loves his dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial.
Page 2 God s Work Our Hands August 2018 His point is that unrealistic expectations destroy genuine community. When we expect a pastor to be at our beck and call, it is a wish dream. When we expect for church people to be perfect, it is a wish dream. When we expect to agree with everyone it is a wish dream. The wish dream destroys true community because we complain about what we don t like instead of plugging into what is right. I fear many have unhealthy expectations about the church. It s not perfect. There are issues in every church. There are annoying people. There are people who think differently. There are people in every church that you will not agree with. Instead of having true community many have left it because it s easier to worship God at home. The problem is that God did not wire us to be alone. We are truly better together. It s in community that we grow, are challenged, stretched, and inspired to truly live for Jesus. It s messy, difficult, and at times frustrating but it s so worth it. God works within community. Sure you can believe in God and not go to church. You can also play sports by yourself, talk to yourself, and high five yourself. Just because it s possible doesn t mean it s better. Life is meant to live with others in community. If you have given up on church, but not on God take a moment to revisit your wish dream. We all have one or have had one. Then ask God He wants you to do next. My guess is He ll point you back to the church. Chris Sonksen and his wife Laura are lead pastors of South Hills Church. He is the founder of Church BOOM, an organization that has provided personal coaching to more than 200 churches and impacted thousands of leaders. Summer Send-off August 5th 5 pm Shepherd King 2122 18th St. Bring homemade ice cream, hot dogs, and watermelon Everyone is invited by the Lubbock ELCA Cooperative Ministry
Page 3 God s Work Our Hands August 2018 August 12 School supply Drive For children in Upbring Foster Care Through August 5 All supplies are needed Teachers and Students News from Lubbock ELCA Cooperative Ministry All members of Shepherd King and Gloria Dei, including the Pastors, are invited to attend the Lubbock ELCA Cooperative Ministry meetings. The meetings are held monthly and alternate between the two churches. Dates and times will be announced. The next meeting is at 7 pm, Tuesday, August 28th at Gloria Dei. Members of Gloria Dei are invited to a Mix and Mingle Ice Cream Social on Sunday, August 5th at Shepherd King at 5 pm. Bring homemade ice cream, hot dogs, or watermelon. Our Council is working on emergency preparedness plans for our church. These plans will be shared and implemented soon.
Page 4 God s Work Our Hands August 2018 To those who assisted with worship, including Donna Perry, Carol Mitchell, Jennifer Ervin, Will Ervin, Avery Stangl, Taylor McCall, Elayne Patridge, Susan Little, Mark Gillen, Lynda Pierce, Bruce Callender, and Kathy Sridaromont To those who helped with Bible School, including Lynda Pierce, Jennifer Ervin, Jill Stangl, Elayne Patridge, Zoe Patridge and Avery Stangl To those who brought food for Bible School To Elayne Patridge and the Ervins for providing flowers for worship To Bruce and Joan Callender for taking food to the Food Bank To those who shared food for fellowship, prepared for fellowship, and cleaned up after fellowship To Carol Mitchell for serving as our bookkeeper To Minerva Alaniz and Elayne Patridge for our card ministry To Carol Mitchell and Bruce and Joan Callender For serving communion to those who cannot at tend worship. To Gerald Crenwelge, Travis Casler, and Mark Gillen for tending to our building and grounds, especially for tending to the holly bushes To Travis Casler, Lynda Pierce, and Mark Gillen for representing us at the ELCA Lubbock Ministry Prayer Ministry Special requests may be submitted to the church office, Travis Casler, or Minerva Alaniz. We will not meet during the summer but will keep in touch through our facebook group. Join through our facebook page, GDLClubbock, Sign up in the fellowship hall to In September, we will begin using Setting Six liturgy. CDs of the music are available in the narthex. Help with lawn care Assist in worship Acolyte for worship Read the scripture during worship
Page 85 God s Work Our Hands August July 2018 August Birthdays Church Events 8 Danny Orr Mix and Mingle Social 5 14 Diane Casler Exec. Comm. 17 Paul Bjerk Blessing of Students/Teachers 12 21 Tracy Hastedt Council 24 Jaxon Skoog 15 Worship and Music 24 Elizabeth Williams 28 Cooperative Ministry meets 30 Donna Perry Wedding Anniversary 10 David and Donell Callender Date Readings Flowers 5 II Samuel 11:26 12:3 Psalm 51:1-12 Hedi Wise in honor of Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6: 24-35 Peggy s birthday 12 II Samuel 18: 5-9,15,31-33 Psalm 130 Ephesians4:25 5:2 John 6:35, 41-51 Open 19 26 29 I Kings 2:10-12, 3: 3-14 Psalm 111 Open Ephesians 5: 15-20 John 6: 51-58 I Kings 8: 22-30, 41-43 Psalm 84 Hedi Wise in honor of the birthdays of Ephesians 6: 10-20 John 6: 58-69 Donna and Glenn II Samuel 11: 1-15 Psalm 14 The Ervin s in honor of Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6: 1-21 Will s birthday During the summer months, we will use the semi-continuous readings. During August, we will hear about the consequences of David s sin and Solomon s rise to power as king over Israel.
Page 5 God s Work Our Hands August 2018 VBS 2018
Page 6 God s Work Our Hands August 2018